Congressional Memberships

Starting A Congressional Membership

Congressional Memberships are an excellent way for chapter and state organizations to stay in touch with their elected officials and to inform them of the important work being done by the Association. Establishing a Congressional membership is easy – secure an appointment with your Congressman or Senator, tell them about AFA and ask if they are willing to accept a complimentary membership in AFA. This may also be done through a letter if a visit is not possible.

If they are willing to accept the membership, fill out this application or you may use a regular application and write "Congressional" on it. Be sure to indicate whether the individual has any military experience in the “Eligibility” section, include chapter information and write in the name of the unit president as the sponsor.

Be sure to ask which address they would like to use – some may want their Washington office while others may choose the district/state office or a home address. However, since all Members of Congress already receive a copy of AIR FORCE Magazine in their office on Capitol Hill (as well as hundreds of other publications), please encourage them to use their home address or home district office address. After all, the purpose of this complimentary membership is to personalize and localize the membership, including chapter affiliation and the distribution of the AIR FORCE Magazine. That is why we are asking the local level (chapter or state) to act in extending these memberships.

Mail the application to AFA. When the completed congressional application is received at headquarters, it will be processed, new member credentials will be mailed and the name will show up on your next interim roster.

The Congressional membership will last for two years or until the next Congress is seated, whichever is earlier. Congressional memberships are not automatically renewed. We want to encourage you to again arrange a visit to tell the AFA story. See the next section on how to renew a congressional membership.

You should know in advance – some members are already members of AFA having bought their own membership. Some will not accept complimentary memberships from any organization and some will want to pay for the membership themselves. This variation is due to internal policies and procedures each member establishes for their own office.

Subsequently, the Members of Congress should be included in all chapter mailings and invitations, and either the Chapter President or Vice President for Government Relations - or both - should keep up a reasonably frequent correspondence with these Members. If you have any questions about this program, please contact Rachel Cosme (ext. 4805).

HOW TO RENEW YOUR CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS

We encourage you to arrange another visit with the Representative or Senator to tell the AFA story. However, if a visit is not feasible, you needn’t go through the process of advance correspondence to determine whether the Member is willing to accept a gift membership.

Just complete any AFA membership application in the name of the Member of Congress. Then write “CONGRESSIONAL” across the “Membership Options” section of the application. Be sure to indicate whether the individual has any military experience in the “Eligibility” section, include chapter information and write in the name of the unit president as the sponsor. When that is done send the application to AFA Headquarters.

The membership will be valid for the balance of the current session of Congress, up to two years.

Subsequently, the Members of Congress should be included in all chapter mailings and invitations, and either the Chapter President or Vice President for Government Relations - or both - should keep up a reasonably frequent correspondence with these Members. If you have any questions about this program, please contact Rachel Cosme (ext. 4805).